OneTouch Live have a must see photo exhibition at Alliance Française

There is something magical being in a room full of photography prints of your own country. Sites you have never known existed and portraiture of people who you have never met. It feels like an re-introduction to your own country. You have a chance to experience that by attending BEYOND, an exhibition put together by OneTouch. OneTouch is a creative alliance comprising of a group of Nairobi-based visual artists and media professionals who have come together to show the beauty of Kenya and Africa. The exhibition chronicles their wanderlust within Kenya’s borders, whether it was familiar haunts like Nakuru, Nyahururu, Meru and Maasai Mara or fresh targets for the sharpshooters in West Pokot, Marigat, Samburu and Lake Natron.

One of the trips was done in partnership with HungerFree, a global movement initiated by World Vision and this exhibition is one of the results. Mutua Matheka one of the photographers says this is a way to change our stereotypical and pejorative opinions of our continent and grow stronger together by providing home grown solutions to challenges we face as a country and a continent. HungerFree use proven methods combining immediate food assistance with long-term sustainable solutions in order to equip young people in Kenya and South Sudan with the skills and resources they need to free themselves and their communities from hunger.

In addition to that, Mutua added that such events enable people to interact with photography as opposed to having them on devices. He also expressed his hope for the industry as a whole stating that a photography museum would be ideal so that Kenyans (and Africans) can have limitless access to art by photographers from all over the continent.

“Photography needs a permanent home in Kenya where people can go and find different types of photography where we can constantly have exhibitions of different themes may be even fortnightly,’ he suggested.

With that he added, your work as a photographer should outlive you to be enjoyed by generations to come. He was also keen to urge the upcoming photographers to give due diligence to their work and take their time to grow their skill for their work will speak for themselves. The exhibition will open today April 1 2016 at Alliance Francaise in Nairobi and close on April 14th. Entrance to the exhibition is free. All exhibited work is for sale and 30% of sales go to HungerFree. Make a date to go see Kenya like you have not seen it before and be sure to give to charity.

[Featured image credit].

Here are some of the images you can expect to find at the exhibition (click on images for full view)